Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Parent Workshops

FREE Upcoming Parent Workshops

How to respond to your Anxious Child by Ann Marie Albano and Leslie Pepper

 

We Are Girls Conference 2013Saturday, November 9th.

Austin High School, Austin, Texas
Doors open at 8am, program begins at 9am

GENaustin’s We Are Girls Conference is a statewide annual event that helps girls explore the issues of bullying, body image and being a girl. Skill-building workshops and dynamic presentations are offered on topics including creating healthy relationships, building financial and media literacy, enhancing parent-daughter relationships and increasing positive body image, health, and wellness. Designed especially for girls in grades 5-12 and the adults who care about them, We Are Girls connects individuals with questions to the experts who have the answers. For more information or sign up for this event, please visit GenAustin.

Meet Kelso, the Problem Solving Frog!

Conflict or disagreement is normal and often happens when children get together.  However, hurtful words, gestures, or physical attacks are unacceptable ways to deal with conflict and disagreement at school.  Our goal is to teach students several positive ways to deal with these difficult situations.  To do this, we are asking students who have "small" problems to try at least two of the following ideas:

• Go to another game or activity
• Share and take turns
• Respectfully talk it over and listen to each (Use the Peace Walk)
• Walk away from the problem
• Ignore the problem behavior
• Tell the person to stop the problem behavior
• Apologize
• Make a deal or compromise
• Wait and cool off

 This process can be done before asking for adult help.  When a request for adult help is made, it will include the two ideas tried: "Mrs. Jone, Tad is teasing me about my glasses.  I tried ignoring him, and I've told him nicely to stop.  He is still calling me names."  The adult will then get involved and help solve the problem.  Of course, the adult will immediately handle any serious or "big" problems that cause a child to feel threatened or frightened.

By using this plan, we believe that our students will develop effective problem-solving skills that they can use again and again.  It will help them to deal with conflict in a positive manner and to make appropriate decisions.  Know what to do will help students reduce the stress and number of conflicts they have at school and in their neighborhood.

This week, I will begin discussing with students in Kindergarten-2nd grade, the difference between a small problem and a big problem.  The students will preview Kelso's 9 Choices and meet Kelso himself!  I encourage you to become familiar with this program and use the chart above at home.  By working together, we can develop a healthy life skill for young people to use at home and at school.  I will also be sending home a paper copy of Kelso's Choices Wheel with students after each lesson.

If you have any questions or would like more information on how to help your child solve conflicts on his/her own, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Austin Child and Guidance Center

The Austin Child Guidance Center (ACGC) is once again offering low-cost groups for children and parents starting in September.    ACGC will have a new group in Spanish for parents with children who have ADHD or behavior problems. We are in need of more families and these groups start in less than 4 weeks! Parents and children from previous groups have provided very positive feedback about their group experiences here. Groups are provided on a low-cost sliding-fee scale.  They run for eight consecutive weeks from 6-7:30PM.  The chart on the left provides more information about start times and days for groups. The Social Skills/Making Friends Group is helpful for younger children (ages 6-9) who have difficulty in social situations or with making friends.  Some topics include helping children learn how their body language impacts interactions with others, how to change their communication to improve their connections with others, and how observation of other people can help their relations with them. The Conflict Resolution Skills/Anger Management Group provides a variety of skills for children ages 9-12 years old.  These include: identifying triggers to anger, taking responsibility for mistakes, learning positive coping skills, exploring difficult feelings, and making good choices through problem-solving.  This is a good group for children who anger easily, have trouble with peer relationships because of anger, or struggle with impulsiveness. The ADHD Parenting Group is a group for parents to attend who have children ages 5-12 years old who have ADHD or behavioral problems.  This group will teach members how to improve parenting skills for children's behavioral problems.  It will raise parents' knowledge about causes of defiant behavior.  Lastly, concepts will help improve family life through positive attention, consequences, rule-setting, and appropriate discipline.  Free childcare is provided for parents who attend this group Please call the center at 512-451-2242 for more information or to register  for group.  A brief screening for group gives parents an opportunity to ask questions about the group and see if it is a good fit for their family.

How can I make an appointment with Mrs. Wessels

Throughout the school year, students often have issues that come up that they would like to talk with me about.  To ensure that I meet with each student in a timely manner, I use counselor request form the student will fill out and place in my box outside my office.  This allows me to know when the student submitted the request as well as how urgent the problem might be.  Thanks to the Savy Counselor, I will be using a form that helps students visualize how big is the problem.  Parents may also use this form to make appointments with me as well as email and calling directly.

 

How to Choose a Rock

Small Rock

Choose a small rock for issues you feel are minor

Medium Rock

Choose a medium rock if the issue isn't major, but you really would like to get it resolved soon.

(Friendship concerns, family concerns)

Large Rock

Choose large rock if the issue is URGENT! This includes a death in the family (including a pet), major family changes (divorce/separation), bullying, strong mad or sad feelings.

Welcome back Eagles!

Welcome to the Barton Hills Elementary Counseling Blog.  My name is Sheila Wessels, and I am the counselor for this wonderful BHE community.  I am very excited to work with you and your family this year.  If at any time, you need to speak to me, please email or call.  I am here for you!

Some information about myself, I have lived in Austin most of my life.  My husband and our two daughters live in the North Austin area. We also have a very "talkative" dog named Gerdie.  Our family loves playing outside, having dance parties, cooking, and watching football together.  Prior to working with Austin ISD, I taught 3rd grade in Leander.  After receiving my Masters in Education at Texas State, I began as a school counselor at Menchaca Elementary in south AISD and then moved to Barton Hills 4 years ago.

What is a school counselor you might ask?
A school counselor works with all students to develop their academic, career, personal, and social abilities.   I meet these needs through classroom based counseling or guidance classes, small group counseling, and/or individual counseling.

Classroom Based Counseling
I meet with every class every other week.  That is about 200 students a week!  I consult with teachers and grade levels about their specific need they would like for me to focus on for each guidance lesson or unit.  The most common areas I focus on are conflict and resolution, managing emotions, stress, friendship, career readiness, bullying, and supporting our Social Emotional Learning Curriculum (SEL).

Individual Counseling
Students can request to see me by filling out a note and placing the note in my mailbox outside my office.  I visit with students during recess or lunch time depending on the amount of time a student requires. I typically will not contact a parent unless I see the student 2-3 times.  If a student requires more visits, I will be happy to suggest referrals to an outside counselor.  Parents and teachers can also request for their child/student to visit with me.

Small Group Counseling
I run many groups that meet about a variety of topics throughout the year such as New to BHE, Friendship, Divorce, and Leadership.  If I find that there are several students struggling with a common problem, I can create a group to work with them together.  I find that it helps to students to know they are not alone!  Parents and teachers can also suggest groups they may find beneficial. If your child is part of a group, I will send a letter home explaining the group as well as asking for your permission.

I am also here for parents and teachers on a consulting basis.  Please contact me with any concerns.  I want to make sure your child has a wonderful experience at Barton Hills Elementary! 

Please check here frequently to see what's happening in the counseling world at BHE!